Lycus circled a gated manor, looking for a good place along the fence. He picked a place hidden from the manor’s grounds and the surrounding buildings, quickly scaling the fence. His green cloak flared out as he landed on its turf.

  He had to be careful. While the only guards on the grounds were on the other side of the manor, that didn’t discount anyone looking through the manor’s windows. He had picked an approach that would keep the garden’s greenery between him and any observers until right before the manor.

  Lycus came up on the path that surrounded the manor’s walls. He froze as he spotted a flash of movement in a window directly across from him. It was just above his destination, the servant’s door. He released his breath as the figure moved away, but his cautiousness had cost him time. He could hear the patrolling guard just around the corner of the house.

  Lycus ran up to the servant's door. He fumbled in his pocket for a key. Withdrawing it, he let himself into the manor just as the guard turned the corner. He started to close the door behind him, but the guard was close enough that they would hear him - and likely see him - if he took the time to close it completely. He would have to be fast.

  Lycus followed a well memorized route through the manor. He heard a shout of alarm as the guard outside spotted the open door. He broke into a sprint, racing through the dusty halls of the manor. He breathed a sigh of relief when he entered the master bedroom of the manor and had yet to be caught by the guards. Everything inside was tidy. Not a paper was out of place, not a spec of dust was in sight. There was a picture of a woman and a man on the desk. He settled in a chair next to the door and waited.

  Two pairs of hurried footsteps approached the door. Lycus heard a masculine voice speak from the hallway. “My lady, we’re almost to your room. The others are searching the hou-” He was cut off by a feminine voice. “Don’t bother. I know who it is.” One of the pairs of footsteps slowed down to a walk. “But my lady, your safety is of the utmost importance.”

  The man was still beseeching the woman when she entered the bedroom and said, “Hello Vincent.”

  “Hello Jeanne. You seem to have caught me once again.” Lycus said. He emerged from his corner with a dramatic flourish of his cloak.

  As the guard entered the bedroom, he muttered, “Oh, it’s him again. I should’ve guessed...”

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  “I thought you died!” Jeanne said.

  “Ah. Well. I’m afraid that was unavoidable. You know how I am.” Lycus scratched the back of his neck.

  “That’s not an excuse!? They said assassins came in the night. The funeral was only yesterday!!”

  “My apologies. Next time I decide to get assassinated I’ll make sure to tell you.”

  “But you clearly didn’t get assassinated. You’ve been missing for a week! ” She paced around the room. “I thought... I thought you trusted me.”

  “I do trust you. But I had to make sure they didn’t know that I lived.”

  “More secrets then. You’re obviously not here for pleasure so get out of my bedroom.”

  Your wish is my command.”

  Lycus followed Jeanne down to the sitting room. “Sit.” she commanded. She rang a small bell for the maid. ”Susan, please prepare some tea for us.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  Lycus studied the room around him. The seating was high quality, yet threadbare. Small mementoes decorated the mantle. Everything was as he remembered. He hung up his cloak on the cloakstand.

  The awkward silence ended as the maid returned with the tea. “Thank you, Susan.” He said. She shot him an icy glare in return.

  “Now Vincent, why are you here? And what in the eight hells happened to your nose.” Jeanne said

  “I had to change my appearance…” Lycus mumbled.

  “Well, it works. It also looks incredibly silly.” Jeanne snickered.

  “Whatever. Enough about my appearance. Would you permit me to be your escort for the upcoming masquerade?” Lycus said.

  “No. Not in a million years. Everything thinks that you’re dead. You would have to pay me if you wanted even a chance at coming to the masquerade with me.”

  “Pay you?” Lycus lifted an eyebrow.

  “Tsk. You know the state this house got in after my husband died.”

  “Ah yes. Well, I’m afraid that dead men don’t usually get to keep their mortal possessions after they pass on. I have no way to pay you.” He shrugged.

  “Then you have nothing to offer. “

  “If that’s what you honestly think, then you have no idea what they’re saying about you. First your husband, now me. It’s almost as if you’re cursed.” Lycus said.

  Jeane stood up and advanced on Lycus. “You come in here after not talking to me for a week, flaunt my husband’s death, and dare to ask something from me. Leave. If you come here again you will be trespassing, and my guards will deal with you accordingly.”

  “Very well.” Lycus said. He slipped his mask back on and left.

  Jeanne flopped back down into her chair. “That man vexes me, Richard.” She said to the guard that had stayed at her side.

  “Yes madame.” Richard replied.

  “He says and does one thing one moment, then does the opposite the next moment.”

  Richard handed Jeanne her long forgotten cup of tea and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

  Jeanne took a long draught from her cup. She stared mournfully at its dry bottom. “Susan, could I please have some more of your amazing tea. In a real cup this time.”

  “Of course.”

  After getting her madame her mug of tea, Susan started tidying up after their unexpected guest. “What do you want me to do with this?” Susan held up a piece of paper.

  “What is it?” Jeanne asked.

  “A letter. I found it where Vincent had been sitting. Want me to throw it away?”

  “No, give it here please.” Jeanne asked.

  After she read through the letter, Jeanne flopped further back in her chair. She eyed her mug of tea. “I’m going to need something stronger.”